FL Man Arrested On Drug Charges Headed To Federal Prison

CLEARWATER, FL — A New Port Richey man was sentenced to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison on drug charges, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.

Yaphet Martin, 38, of New Port Richey pleaded guilty in August 2024 to the charges of possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

When Clearwater police pulled over Martin on July 7, 2023, officers smelled marijuana in the vehicle, the DOJ said.

When they searched the vehicle, they found a small, green camouflage bag behind the center console with 3 grams of fentanyl, 7.66 grams of MDMA and 3.48 grams of cocaine, laboratory testing later confirmed.

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The bag also contained a digital scale, a glass pipe and $3,182 in cash, the DOJ said. Officers also recovered a firearm loaded with four rounds of ammunition from the vehicle.

At the time, Martin had four prior felony convictions including forgery, robbery in the first degree, delivering an imitation controlled substance and felonious possession of a firearm. He is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

His prior drug and crime of violence convictions subjected him to an enhanced penalty, the DOJ said.

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